Boy, We Gotta Carraig That Weight

It is, of course, one of Greystones’ most famous buildings, as well as one of its longest standing…

More importantly though, Carraig Eden has proven a haven and a fresh start in life for many, many people.

Carraig Eden 1977

And it still is, this grand old building overlooking The Cove, as always, providing shelter, guidance and a way forward for young families, old hands, and assorted other souls in limbo.

When news broke just before Easter, 2016 that Carraig Eden was about to be sold, it came as a major shock not only to those living in the building today and those who have called it home at some point over the last 80 years, but for many, many people all over Greystones.

And that’s why The Carraig Eden Foundation has been formed. Given just six months reprieve by the current owners of the building before it goes on the market, the rather large sum of €1.7m needs to be raised in order for the good work here to continue. And for Carraig Eden not to fall into the hands of a greedy developer who would no doubt see all those crosses as dollar signs.

With the launch of the foundation this Thursday, June 23rd, at 8pm, we thought we should get the ball rolling early by having a chat with its director, Darragh Page. How much does this man love Carraig Eden?

Well, after visiting the Greystones landmark many times as a kid, Darragh was so inspired by his holidays here he not only moved to the town but, 17 years ago, he had his wedding reception in Carraig Eden. That’s how much this guy loves this place.

Our video interview with Darragh is below, but first, let’s have a little Carraig Eden history lesson, as it went from being Carrig Eden to Carraig Eden for no particular reason. It’s important that you know just how impressive this Greystones building is…

Built circa 1870s, and originally two semi-detached private houses known simply as East House and West House, by 1922, they had been renamed Ferney East and Ferney West. Shortly after the above 1930 picture was taken, the two buildings were brought together as one to make the Christian Endeavour holiday home. On their website, C.E. state that they are a non-denominational movement ‘which seeks to teach and train its members for service in their local church’.

In later years, Carraig Eden fell under the umbrella of The Assemblies Of God Ireland, an 80-year-old-plus organisation whose main goal, it seems, is to improve Ireland’s less-than-1% Evangelical Christian headcount.

Not that Carraig Eden is all about the Big Man upstairs. Talking to those working at Carraig today, you’re quickly made aware of the fact that their work has far more to do with the little people down here. Especially those little people who’ve slipped a little too far down.

If you can’t make it along to The Carraig Eden Foundation launch this Thursday, June 23rd at 8pm, please feel free to get in touch with the guys with any fundraising ideas you might have. Or, of course, if you’d like to donate to this very worthy cause.

You can email Darragh directly on darraghpage@gmail.com, or call Carraig Eden on 0868471310, or you can simply check out their Facebook campaign page here for further information and updates.